Farm wagon with hinged roof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a farm wagon having a boxlike structure with a partially open end, together with a hinged roof which is selectively positionable between a lowered position and a raised position affording enlargement of the open end of the wagon and which materially transversely strengthens the sidewalls of the boxlike structure adjacent the upper ends and the open end.

United States Patent 72] Inventor John E. Kasten 136 Concord Lane, WestBND, Wis. 53095 [21] Appl. No. 847,909 [22] Filed Aug. 6, 1969 [45]Patented Mar.3, 1971 [54] FARM WAGON WITH HINGED ROOF 10 Claims, 4Drawing Figs.

52 US. Cl 296/26, 296/137, 52/66 [51] Int. Cl 862d 33/08 [50] FieldofSearch 296/137 (B), 23.7, 23.26; 52/66 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,190,689 6/1965 Calthorpe 296/137(B) 2,777,728 1/1957Barenti 296/137(B) 3,411,819 11/1968 Tyree 296/23 3,061,359 10/1962Pearlman 294/64 3,146,081 8/1964 Pearlman 296/26 3,173,563 3/1965 Finch214/519 3,212,812 10/1965 KurtZ 296/137 Primary Examiner-Philip GoodmanAttorney-Wheeler, Wheeler, House & Clemency FARM WAGON WITH IIINGED ROOFBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance withthe invention, a farm wagon having a boxlike structure with at least apartially open end is provided with a hinged roof which is selectivelyusable in a raised or elevated position and in a lowered or retractedposition. The hinged roof serves to substantially limit loss of forageout of the top of the wagon during travel and at other times, and whenthe roof is in its elevated position, serves to afford enlargement ofthe open portion of the boxlike structure to facilitate loading. Whenthe roof is in its retracted position, the wagon may be moved throughdoors and openings which have a relatively low clearance and throughwhich the wagon could not travel with its roof in the elevated position.The roof further serves to structurally reinforce the sidewalls of thehousing, particularly at the upper ends thereof and at the ends thereofadjacent to the end opening.

Specifically, the roof comprises a top panel which preferably has asmooth undersurface, and a pair of side panels extending respectivelyfrom the side edges of the roof panel in spaced parallel relation toeach other. The roof is hinged to the walls of the boxlike structure forswinging movement about a horizontal axis and so that the side roofpanels are in inwardly adjacent relation to the sidewalls. In addition,means are provided for releasably fixing the roof to the walls tomaintain the roof in either of its elevated or retracted positions. Suchmeans can also include one or more reinforcing members which are locatedon the upper surface of the roof and which serve as stop membersengaging the upper edges of the sidewalls to limit downward travel ofthe roof and to establish the lowered position.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a farm wagon in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the farm wagon shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross section of the wagon shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 2.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a farm wagon which isgenerally designated 11 and which'is specifically disclosed as a foragewagon. The wagon, as disclosed, conventionally includes a frame 13 whichis supported by front and rear wheels 15and 17 for travel over theground. Extending in upstanding relation from the frame 13 (FIG. 3) arespaced sidewalls l9 and 21 and an end or rear wall 23 which is connectedto the rearward edge of the sidewalls 19 and 2 1 to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open, as indicated at 25, at theother or frame end remote from the rear wall 23. The sidewalls can bereinforced by upstanding members 24.

The forage wagon 11 can also conventionally include a generallyhorizontal apron conveyor 27, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,223,264, which apron conveyor extends horizontally between thesidewalls 19 and 21. Located at the front of the apron conveyor 27 is across conveyor means in the form of a transverse auger 29 which isarranged to convey forage from the conveyor for lateral discharge at theend of the auger, also as generally shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,176.

Arranged above the auger 29 can be several heaters 31. Variousarrangements, such as disclosed, for instance, in my U.S. Pat. No.3,275,176 can be employed for driving and controlling the heaters 31,the apron conveyor 27, and the auger 29. Notwithstanding the provisionsof the auger 29 and the heaters 31, it will be noted that the front ofthe wagon 11 is still substantially open, particularly at the top at 25,and that the upper front portions and the upper edges of the sidewallsare, in large measure, transversely unsupported.

In accordance with the invention, the wagon 11 includes a roof or acover structure 41, which is hinged at the rear about a horizontal axisto accommodate vertical roof-swinging movement between a lowered orretracted position and an upper or elevated or raised positionincreasing the open area 25 at the front of the forage wagon. The hingedroof 41 serves several functions including providing a cover for theforage in the wagon to prevent loss of such forage out of the top of thewagon during transit and otherwise, while, at the same time, offering anarrangement whereby the opening at the front of the wagon can beenlarged, as desired, to facilitate filling of the wagon. It is to benoted that such enlargement is provided while still permitting passageof the wagon through doors or openings having a relatively low overheadwhen the roof advantageously serves lowered position. In addition, theroof advantageously serves as a structural brace to increase thetransverse strength or rigidity of the upper and forward portions of thesidewalls 19 and 21.

More particularly, the roof 41 includes (FIG. 4) a top panel 43 and tworigid side panels 45 which respectively rigidly extend from the sideedges of the top panel 43. Preferably, the inner or undersurface 47 ofthe top panel 43 is smooth, so as to avoid catching or snaring of theforage thereon. Desirably, the side panels 45 'are each generally ofright-triangular shape with the hypotenuse edge being connected to thetop panel 41 and (FIG. 2) with one of the side edges 49 extendingprincipally up and down or vertically adjacent the forward end of thewagon and with the,other of the right-angle edges 51 extendingprincipally front to back or horizontally of the wagon or vehicle.

Means are provided for swingably mounting the roof 41 to the walls ofthe wagon so as to provide vertical swinging of the roof about ahorizontalaxis between its lowered and raised positions and forreleasably fixing or maintaining the roof 4] in each of said positions.If desired, the arrangement can also be such so as to permit retentionof the roof at one or more intermediate positions between the raised orlowered positions.

While various arrangements for accomplishing the foregoing functions canbe employed, in the disclosed construction such means includes a pair ofaxially aligned bolts 53 respectively connecting the upper rear comer ofthe respective sidewalls 19 and 21 with the rearward portion of the roof41. If desired, hinges between the top roof panel 43 and the rear wall23 could be employed to provide for vertical swinging of the roof. Inaddition, bolts 55 extending through apertures 56 (see FIG. 4) areprovided for releasably connecting the upper edges of the sidewalls 19and 21 to the lower edges of the side roof panels 45 so as to releasablymaintain the roof 41 in its raised or elevated position. Connection ofthe roof side panels 45 to the sidewalls 19 and 21 by the bolts 55,particularly at the front of the wagon 11, also materially reinforcesthe transverse strength and rigidity of the upper portion of thesidewalls 19 and 21.

Limitation of permissible downward swinging movement of the roof 41 fromits elevated position to establish its lowered position and to preventfull collapse of the roof into the boxlilte structure, while at the sametime, transversely strengthening the upper roof panel 43, is provided bymeans in the form of one or more stop members. While variousarrangements are possible, in the disclosed construction, such stopmembers are in the form of transverse roof-reinforcing members 61 whichare secured to the upper or outer surface of the top panel 43 and whichinclude outer ends 63 projecting sufficiently so as engage the upperedges of the sidewalls 19 and 21. It is to be noted that reinforcementof the roof top panel 43 by placement of the reinforcing crossmembers 61on the upper surface of the roof leaves the inner surface 47 smooth toavoid the possibility of catching or snaring forage on the lower surfaceof the top ro'of panel.

While alternate constructions could be employed to limit downwardswinging movement, the disclosed construction, as pointed out justabove, also serves to materially transversely reinforce the top panel43. In addition, if desired, the ends 63 of the crossmembers 61 can beprovided with depending ears 65 spaced so as to overlie the outersurface of the top margin of the sidewalls l9 and 21, thereby to preventspreading of the sidewalls 19 and 21 and materially increasing thetransverse strength of the sidewalls, and particularly the upper frontportions thereof.

Alternatively, if desired, the side roof panels 45 can be provided withadditional apertures 71 for use with the bolts 55 to releasably securelyfasten the sidewalls l9 and 21 to the roof side panels 45 to increasetransverse sidewall strength when the roof is in its lowered position.Also, if desired, still other additional apertures 73 can be provided inthe side roof panels 45 for use with the bolts 55 to provide one or morereleasable intermediate positions between the fully raised and loweredroof positions.

Transverse strength of both the roof 41 and of the upper portions of thesidewalls l9 and 21 is further materially increased by providing theroof 41 with gusset or bracing members 75 which are generally ofright-triangular configuration with each of the gusset members havingone of the right-angle edges connected to one of the side roof panels 45and having the other right angle edge connected to the top roof panel43. Thus, the side panels are each rigidified and extend rigidly fromthe roof top panel.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

I claim:

l. A wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extending upwardlyfrom said frame, and end wall extending upwardly from said frame andconnected to said sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure which is, atleast partially, open at the end remote from said end wall, a roofcomprising a top panel, and a pair of rigid side panels rigidlyextending respectively from the side edges of said roof top panel and inspaced parallel relation to each other, means on said roof and on saidwalls for connecting said roof to said walls for roof-swinging movementabout a horizontal axis relative to a position with said roof top panelin an inclined disposition so as to increase the open area at the end ofsaid wagon remote from said end wall and with said side panels extendingto said sidewalls, and means for releasably fixing said roof to saidwalls to maintain said roof tp panel in said position.

2. A farm wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extendingupwardly from said frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frameand connected to the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open at the front, a roofcomprising a top panel and spaced rigid side panels rigidly extendingrespectively from the side edges of said roof top panel and in spacedparallel relation to each other, means on said roof and on said wallsfor connecting said roof to said walls for swinging roof movement abouta horizontal axis, stop members extending from said roof at a locationadjacent to said roof top panel in position for engagement with saidsidewalls to limit downward swinging movement of said roof, and meansfor releasably fixing said roof to said sidewalls to maintain said rooftop panel in upwardly and forwardly inclined disposition so as toincrease the open area at the front of said wagon.

3. A wagon in accordance with claim 2 wherein said side panels aregenerally of triangular shape and each have a first edge connected tosaid roof top panel and having a second edge extending principallyvertically at the forward end of said wagon and a third edge extendingprincipally horizontally.

4. A farm wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extendingupwardly from said frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frameand connected to the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open at the front, a roofcomprising a top panel and spaced side panels rigidly extendingrespectively from the side edges of said roof top panel and in spacedparallel relation to each other, said side panels being generally ofright-triangular shape and each have a hypotenuse edge connected to saidroof top panel and having one right-angle edge extending principallyvertically at the forward end of said wagon and another right-angle edgeextending principally horizontally, means on said roof and on said wallsfor connecting said roof to said walls for swinging roof movement abouta horizontal axis with said side panels in inwardly adjacent relation tosaid sidewalls, stop members extending from said roof at a locationadjacent to said roof top panel in position for engagement with saidsidewalls to limit downward swinging movement of said roof, said stopmember comprising reinforcing crossmembers secured to the upper surfaceof said roof top panel and having ends extending laterally beyond saidsidewalls for engagement with the top edge of said sidewalls to limitdownward swinging movement of said roof, and means for releasably fixingsaid roof to said sidewalls to maintain said roof top panel in upwardlyand forwardly inclined disposition so as to increase the open area atthe front of said wagon.

5. A wagon in accordance with claiml wherein the inside surface of saidroof top panel is smooth.

6. A wagon in accordance with claim 2 including gusset members bracingsaid roof side panels with respect to said roof top panel.

'7. A farm wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extendingupwardly from said frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frameand connected to the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open at the front, a roofcomprisinga top panel and spaced side panels rigidly extendingrespectively from the side edges of said roof top panel and in spacedparallel relation to each other, gusset members bracing said roof sidepanels with respect to said roof top panel, said gusset members being ofgenerally right-triangular shape and each have two edged disposed atright angles to each other, one of said edges being connected to one ofsaid side panels and the other of said side edges being connected tosaid top panel, means on said roof and on said walls for connecting saidroof to said walls for swinging roof movement about a horizontal axiswith said side panels in inwardly adjacent relation to said sidewalls,stop members extending from said roof at a location adjacent to saidroof top panel in position for engagement with said sidewalls to limitdownward swinging movement of said roof, and means for releasably fixingsaid roof to said sidewalls to maintain said roof top panel in upwardlyand forwardly inclined disposition so as to increase the open area atthe front of said wagon.

8. A forage wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extendingupwardly from said frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frameand connected to the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open at the front, an auger onsaid frame at the front of said wagon. An apron conveyor on said framewith one end adjacent to said auger, at least one beater extendingtransversely of said frame above said auger at the front of said wagon,a top roof panel having a generally smooth inside surface, side roofpanels extending respectively from the side edges of said top roof paneland in spaced parallel relation to each other, said side roof panelsbeing generally of right-triangular shape and each having a hypotenuseedge connected to said top roof panel and having one right-angle sideedge extending principally vertically at the forward end of said wagonand another right-angle side edge extending principally horizontally,triangular members bracing said side roof panels with respect to saidtop roof panel and being of generally right triangular shape, eachbracing member having two edges disposed at right angles to each other,one of said edges being connected to one of said side roof panels andthe other of said side edges being connected to said top roof panel,means on said side roof panels and on said sidewalls for providingswinging movement of said top and side roof panels about a horizontalaxis with said side roof panels in inwardly adjacent relation to saidsidewalls, crossmembers secured to the upper surface of said top roofpanel and having ends extending laterally beyond said sidewalls forengagement with the top edge of said sidewalls to limit downwardswinging of said top and side roof panels relative to said walls, andmeans for releasably fixing said side roof panels to said sidewalls tomaintain said top roof panel in upwardly and forwardly inclineddisposition so as to increase the open area at the front of said wagon.

9. A wagon in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for releasablyfixing said roof to said sidewalls includes means releasably connectingsaid roof side panels and said sidewalls.

10. A wagon having a frame, spaced sidewalls extending upwardly fromsaid frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frame and connectedto the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure whichis, at least partially, open at the front, cross-conveying means on saidframe at the front of said wagon, an apron conveyor on said frame withone end adjacent to said cross conveyor means, at least one beaterextending transversely of said frame above said cross conveyor means atthe front of said wagon, a top roof panel and spaced rigid side roofpanels rigidly extending respectively from the side edges of said toproof panel and in spaced parallel relation to each other, means on saidroof panels and on said walls for providing swinging movement of saidtop and side roof panels about a horizontal axis, means on said roof forengagement with said sidewalls to limit downward swinging of said topand side roof panels relative to said walls, and means for releasablyfixing said side roof panels to said walls to maintain said top roofpanel in upwardly and forwardly inclined disposition so as to increasethe open area at the front of said wagon.

wag-g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,572,811 Dated March 30, 197].

Inventor(s) John E. Kasten It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 2, lines 20 and 21 delete "advantageously serves" should be islocated in its Column 3, line 34 "and" should be an Column 3, line 47"tp" should be top Column 4, line 35 "edged" should be edges Column 4,line 55 An" should be an Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1971(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. A wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extending upwardlyfrom said frame, and end wall extending upwardly from said frame andconnected to said sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure which is, atleast partially, open at the end remote from said end wall, a roofcomprising a top panel, and a pair of rigid side panels rigidlyextending respectively from the side edges of said roof top panel and inspaced parallel relation to each other, means on said roof and on saidwalls for connecting said roof to said walls for roof-swinging movementabout a horizontal axis relative to a position with said roof top panelin an inclined disposition so as to increase the open area at the end ofsaid wagon remote from said end wall and with said side panels extendingto said sidewalls, and means for releasably fixing said roof to saidwalls to maintain said roof tp panel in said position.
 2. A farm wagonhaving a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extending upwardly from saidframe, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frame and connected tothe rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure whichis, at least partially, open At the front, a roof comprising a top paneland spaced rigid side panels rigidly extending respectively from theside edges of said roof top panel and in spaced parallel relation toeach other, means on said roof and on said walls for connecting saidroof to said walls for swinging roof movement about a horizontal axis,stop members extending from said roof at a location adjacent to saidroof top panel in position for engagement with said sidewalls to limitdownward swinging movement of said roof, and means for releasably fixingsaid roof to said sidewalls to maintain said roof top panel in upwardlyand forwardly inclined disposition so as to increase the open area atthe front of said wagon.
 3. A wagon in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid side panels are generally of triangular shape and each have a firstedge connected to said roof top panel and having a second edge extendingprincipally vertically at the forward end of said wagon and a third edgeextending principally horizontally.
 4. A farm wagon having a wheeledframe, spaced sidewalls extending upwardly from said frame, a rear wallextending upwardly from said frame and connected to the rear edges ofsaid sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure which is, at leastpartially, open at the front, a roof comprising a top panel and spacedside panels rigidly extending respectively from the side edges of saidroof top panel and in spaced parallel relation to each other, said sidepanels being generally of right-triangular shape and each have ahypotenuse edge connected to said roof top panel and having oneright-angle edge extending principally vertically at the forward end ofsaid wagon and another right-angle edge extending principallyhorizontally, means on said roof and on said walls for connecting saidroof to said walls for swinging roof movement about a horizontal axiswith said side panels in inwardly adjacent relation to said sidewalls,stop members extending from said roof at a location adjacent to saidroof top panel in position for engagement with said sidewalls to limitdownward swinging movement of said roof, said stop member comprisingreinforcing crossmembers secured to the upper surface of said roof toppanel and having ends extending laterally beyond said sidewalls forengagement with the top edge of said sidewalls to limit downwardswinging movement of said roof, and means for releasably fixing saidroof to said sidewalls to maintain said roof top panel in upwardly andforwardly inclined disposition so as to increase the open area at thefront of said wagon.
 5. A wagon in accordance with claim 2 wherein theinside surface of said roof top panel is smooth.
 6. A wagon inaccordance with claim 2 including gusset members bracing said roof sidepanels with respect to said roof top panel.
 7. A farm wagon having awheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extending upwardly from said frame, arear wall extending upwardly from said frame and connected to the rearedges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure which is, atleast partially, open at the front, a roof comprising a top panel andspaced side panels rigidly extending respectively from the side edges ofsaid roof top panel and in spaced parallel relation to each other,gusset members bracing said roof side panels with respect to said rooftop panel, said gusset members being of generally right-triangular shapeand each have two edged disposed at right angles to each other, one ofsaid edges being connected to one of said side panels and the other ofsaid side edges being connected to said top panel, means on said roofand on said walls for connecting said roof to said walls for swingingroof movement about a horizontal axis with said side panels in inwardlyadjacent relation to said sidewalls, stop members extending from saidroof at a location adjacent to said roof top panel in position forengagement with said sidewalls to limit downward swinging movement ofsaid roof, and means for releasably fixing said roof to said sidewallsto maintain said Roof top panel in upwardly and forwardly inclineddisposition so as to increase the open area at the front of said wagon.8. A forage wagon having a wheeled frame, spaced sidewalls extendingupwardly from said frame, a rear wall extending upwardly from said frameand connected to the rear edges of said sidewalls to provide a boxlikestructure which is, at least partially, open at the front, an auger onsaid frame at the front of said wagon. An apron conveyor on said framewith one end adjacent to said auger, at least one beater extendingtransversely of said frame above said auger at the front of said wagon,a top roof panel having a generally smooth inside surface, side roofpanels extending respectively from the side edges of said top roof paneland in spaced parallel relation to each other, said side roof panelsbeing generally of right-triangular shape and each having a hypotenuseedge connected to said top roof panel and having one right-angle sideedge extending principally vertically at the forward end of said wagonand another right-angle side edge extending principally horizontally,triangular members bracing said side roof panels with respect to saidtop roof panel and being of generally right triangular shape, eachbracing member having two edges disposed at right angles to each other,one of said edges being connected to one of said side roof panels andthe other of said side edges being connected to said top roof panel,means on said side roof panels and on said sidewalls for providingswinging movement of said top and side roof panels about a horizontalaxis with said side roof panels in inwardly adjacent relation to saidsidewalls, crossmembers secured to the upper surface of said top roofpanel and having ends extending laterally beyond said sidewalls forengagement with the top edge of said sidewalls to limit downwardswinging of said top and side roof panels relative to said walls, andmeans for releasably fixing said side roof panels to said sidewalls tomaintain said top roof panel in upwardly and forwardly inclineddisposition so as to increase the open area at the front of said wagon.9. A wagon in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for releasablyfixing said roof to said sidewalls includes means releasably connectingsaid roof side panels and said sidewalls.
 10. A wagon having a frame,spaced sidewalls extending upwardly from said frame, a rear wallextending upwardly from said frame and connected to the rear edges ofsaid sidewalls to provide a boxlike structure which is, at leastpartially, open at the front, cross-conveying means on said frame at thefront of said wagon, an apron conveyor on said frame with one endadjacent to said cross conveyor means, at least one beater extendingtransversely of said frame above said cross conveyor means at the frontof said wagon, a top roof panel and spaced rigid side roof panelsrigidly extending respectively from the side edges of said top roofpanel and in spaced parallel relation to each other, means on said roofpanels and on said walls for providing swinging movement of said top andside roof panels about a horizontal axis, means on said roof forengagement with said sidewalls to limit downward swinging of said topand side roof panels relative to said walls, and means for releasablyfixing said side roof panels to said walls to maintain said top roofpanel in upwardly and forwardly inclined disposition so as to increasethe open area at the front of said wagon.